Why zero grazing no longer an ideal dairy production system – Recent research shows

For those thinking of going into zero grazing, think again. Recent research says the system of dairy production is no longer viable as farmers are unable to break even due to the high overhead cost.

The Tegemeo Institute of Research, an agriculture-focused think tank, says in its report that farmers practising zero grazing are making an average loss of Sh0.6 per litre.

The report, launched this month by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett, notes that without accounting for the cost of own factors of production, farmers practising zero grazing are spending the highest to produce a litre of milk.

Simon Kimenju, a lead researcher at the Egerton University-based research agency, says that on average, a zero-grazing farmer spends Sh19 to produce a litre of milk.

“Without accounting for the cost of own factors of production, farmers practising zero grazing were spending [the] highest [amount] to produce a litre of milk at an average of Sh19 a litre, while the semi-zero grazers spent Sh17.2 for the same quantity,” said Dr Kimenju.

“However, when fixed costs and own factors of production (such as own labour and own pasture) were put into consideration, zero grazers barely break even, making a small loss of Sh0.6 per litre of milk produced,” he added.

According to Tegemeo, open grazers are spending Sh10 to produce the same quantity of milk, making the system the cheapest of all three production methods.

COST COMPONENTS

Semi-zero grazers, who employ their own factors of production, made an average profit of Sh5.6 per litre, and open grazers made Sh7.9.

“This shows the importance of own factors of productions to smallholders,” he said.

The report notes that when other revenue sources on a farm, such as livestock sales and sale of manure, are accounted for, the net profits are positive for all production systems as it increases incomes.

Dr Kimenju says the most important factors to the cost of production are feed concentrates for zero grazers, making up 42 per cent of direct variable costs.

Hired labour was the most important cost component for the other production systems, accounting for 31 per cent for semi-zero grazers and 37 per cent for open grazers.

“When all cost components are put into consideration (including own factors of production), family labour was the biggest component of cost across the three production systems,” says the report.

According to the study, productivity and price changes have a higher effect on returns compared with cost reduction. For instance, among farmers practising zero grazing, a 20 per cent increase in productivity would increase gross margins by 67 per cent.

On the other hand, a 10 per cent increase in milk producer prices would increase gross margins by 34 per cent, while a 10 per cent reduction in cost of feeds would increase gross margins by seven per cent.

The report calls for increased productivity, saying it would have the highest effect on farmer returns.

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https://farmerstrend.co.ke/zero-grazing-no-longer-ideal-dairy-production-system-recent-research-shows/https://i2.wp.com/farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/zero-grazing-in-kenya.jpg?fit=600%2C425&ssl=1https://i2.wp.com/farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/zero-grazing-in-kenya.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=12017-11-15T17:19:21+03:00#FarmersTrend#TrendingLivestock Farmingdairy farming study in kenya,research dairy farming kenya,zero grazing in kenyaFor those thinking of going into zero grazing, think again. Recent research says the system of dairy production is no longer viable as farmers are unable to break even due to the high overhead cost.
The Tegemeo Institute of Research, an agriculture-focused think tank, says in its report that farmers...#FarmersTrendJohnBujufarmerstrend@gmail.comAdministratorI am a web enthusiast, writer and blogger. I always strive to be passionate about my work. I started my work at the beginning of 2013 by engaging myself with detail reading and exchanging information regarding farming with others. Since then things and times have changed, but one thing remains the same and that is my passion for helping and educating Kenyan farmers, building a successful blog and delivering quality content to the readers. The particular interests that brought me in the world of blogging are gardening, farming and livestock.Farmers#Trend

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